I’m new here, and a bit concerned about getting shocked from electrical outlets, light fixtures, etc.
Is there more that can be done to protect oneself than covering these items with plastic, and using duct tape to seal them? Seems to be very little info on this important detail, or maybe I am wording it wrong.
I want to focus on house washing as an add on to my window cleaning business. I live in central Texas and my area is very rural, so not a lot of competition.
Thank you, Jimmy
I lightly mist around fixtures and never have any serious flow pointed in the direction of the outlets or light fixtures. You could trigger the gfci ahead of soaping but if your covering them you should not have any issues besides you’ll trip the breaker before you get zapped. imho
Thanks Rico…That makes me feel better about the outlets, and lights.
Do you know how safely I can get to power lines going to the house without getting shocked?
Some of the older Victorian homes and farm houses have the wires going right to the house instead of underground as most new ones do? An electrician told me, it can jump about 11" and will follow the path of least resistance. Then he tells me his 18 yr. old nephew got electrocuted while painting a house.
How do you guys handle this touchy issue? Thanks for any info.
Thats fairly common for me, I just use overspray to my advantage. Mist the area, nothing directly around the area and definitely don’t go near with a lance, pole or ladder. Were it comes into the meter is well insulated otherwise you would have a lot of home owner deaths. You can also call the electric company and they will come out and install a blanket around the area were the service connects to the house.
Thanks Rico, I didn’t know the utility co. would do that! Good to know.
My ladders, and poles are all metal so I am cautious. I think I’ll contact the utility co. and get their input on this as well. Best to be safe!
Thank you!
Getting shocked from120 outlet is not likely, but when deep cleaning inside a parking garage, one needs to be aware of so many issues like seepage to the electrical rooms or the transformers which carry 440 volts. I explain about the issues with detail photos at our parking garage cleaning event
I also want to thank everyone who attended the Garage Wvent Social at the Hinderliters Home. I personal want to thank the Hinderliters for letting my family stay with them this past week in Dallas. We had a great time with them.
Since Monday though, I have been in Cancun enjoying our vacation. Will be here for another 2.5 weeks before heading home where we have a few more garages to do … After that, I will be taking my family up to Vancover Canada for a couple more weeks.
Again, had a great time with all who attended the Parking Garage Cleaning Social in Ft. Worth indent preformatted text by 4 spacesTexas. It was a blast meeting everyone there.
And yes, we will have a Parking Garage Cleaning Event for 2017.
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Hi Jim, Thanks for the reply. What about the chance of getting shocked from the wires that are attached to the outside of a home from the power pole. Are these something to be wary of? I have been searching on line over the last couple of days and all I am finding are warnings of the high voltage utility lines. How much voltage would an electrical wire serving your average farm house carry? Is that enough to kill someone? Most of my work is in rural areas and the electric wires are attached to a meter mounted on the side of the house just under the eaves.
Thanks for sharing your knowledge with those less informed.
Even though my focus at the moment is on house washing, I will try to catch the Parking Garage Cleaning Event next year!
Thank you!
Texas,
This space you are referring to (between the pole and the building) is covered in the National Electrical Safety Code. The minimum clearances and distances that need to maintained are defined by the conductor type and the voltage carried on that conductor. That’s the technical answer. Your best bet would be to contact your local power company and ask to speak with a distribution engineer (or sometimes they’re called service planners) and let them advise you on those distances.
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Thank you Horizon, I’ll give my local utility service a visit and get their input. I was hoping some of the guys would jump in and say what they do, or give a rule of thumb answer. I am trying to learn as much as I can about electricity and wiring before I get hurt or worse. Thank you for your response!
A housing inspector told me that quite a few homes out here in the boondocks are improperly wired. That some have no ground or the ground is not good. Our house was wired wrong and the former owner had to correct the wiring before it would pass inspection. I assume the Ground Fault safety thing wouldn’t trip in such a case. I’m old, but not ready to go just yet! 
